Ohio Regulator Officially Exits NCPG Over Kalshi Membership

Things continue to trend downward for the National Council on Problem Gambling.

The Ohio Casino Control Commission has officially withdrawn from the responsible gambling group. This move followed the NCPG’s decision to accept sports prediction leader Kalshi’s membership application. The state has been fighting to regulate the emerging industry, taking operators like Kalshi to court.

The move makes Ohio the third state to leave the NCPG, joining Michigan and Nevada.

Ohio Makes Quiet Exit

While the OCCC’s exit is only now making headlines, the group filed its notice in June. No public confirmation was ever received, even as two other groups left the NCPG over the summer. The news broke only after the exit was mentioned during a regulatory meeting in Massachusetts.

Groups in Michigan and Nevada have also exited the problem gambling group, but publicly shared their reasoning and frustration. This led to blowback for the NCPG, which has been trying to push ahead after losing the well-known 1-800-GAMBLER hotline.

The OCCC’s quiet withdrawal helped the NCPG avoid another public battle, keeping the focus on helping curb problem gambling.

OCCC Cites Ongoing Legislation

In its letter to the NCPG, the OCCC explained why it was choosing to exit the group. While it supports the fight against problem gambling, it couldn’t accept working alongside Kalshi, which it accuses of offering an illegal form of sports betting.

The OCCC thanks the NCPG in the letter, but made it clear its decision to exit was final.

I appreciate NCPG’s continued position of neutrality on gambling; however, NCPG’s actions are not neutral. Instead, it seeks to legitimize an illegal sportsbook operating in Ohio and undercut the Commission’s efforts to eliminate this source of unlicensed gambling. At a minimum, it creates consumer confusion as to whether this prediction market platform carries the same protection as licensed sportsbooks. It does not. NCPG appears poised to partner with other prediction market companies through the creation of a new membership class designed for these illegal gambling operators.

Nevada, Michigan, and Massachusetts

News of Ohio’s exit is only the latest in the NCPG’s acceptance of a sports prediction platform.

Over the summer, the Michigan Gaming Control Board and Nevada Council on Problem Gambling announced their exits from the group. They cited concerns over Kalshi’s sports contracts and the lack of problem gambling protocols. 

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has been discussing its membership in the NCPG over Kalshi’s inclusion. Commissioners debated the dangers of the emerging industry and the importance of fighting problem gambling. Fortunately, the regulator ultimately decided they would stay with the group for the time being.